After Steve Smith, R Ashwin makes David Warner his bunny, dismisses him for 10th time in Test cricket

January 9, 2021

R Ashwin has so far been India’s most successful bowler in the ongoing Test series against Australia.

The senior off-spinner has troubled the Aussie batsmen with his variations and had successfully managed to keep Steve Smith quiet in the first two games.
Ashwin made Smith his bunny dismissing him twice in four innings as the Australian star himself admitted he had let the off-spinner dictate terms against him.
While Smith managed to break the shackles and notched up a brilliant century in the ongoing third Test between the two sides, Ashwin seems to have found a new bunny in Australia. During Australia’s second innings on Day 3 of the third Test, Ashwin dismissed Warner on 13 off 29 balls.
Ashwin has now dismissed Warner as many as ten times in Test cricket, creating a new personal record. The Indian off-spinner has not dismissed any batsman more than ten times in the longest format of the game. Warner’s poor record against Ashwin shows Smith might not be the only ‘bunny’ for the off-spinner in the Australian side.
Ashwin is the leading wicket-taker for India in the series so far with 11 scalps to his name. He is only behind Pat Cummins in the list of the highest wicket-takers in the series as the Australian pacer has 14 wickets under his belt.

Ashwin was expected to come good against Smith once again in the ongoing third Test but the former Australian captain played him well and showcased his class to score a brilliant 131 and help Australia post 338 runs on the board in their first innings.
In reply, Indian batsmen disappointed as the visitors were folded for 244 in their first innings.
Smith continued his fine form in the second innings for the Aussies and scored an unbeaten 29 to add an unbeaten stand of 68 runs for the third wicket after the early departures of openers Warner (13) and Will Pucovski (10). Australia are currently leading by 197 runs and are in a strong position in the Test match.